It's the question I'm asked most, and I understand why: before falling in love with a design, you want to know if it fits your budget. Here's how I price a fine line tattoo at my studio in Barcelona's Eixample, with real figures and no small print.
A guide to fine line tattoo prices
A small fine line tattoo starts at €60. I mean a simple piece a few centimetres across: a word, a silhouette, a small flower, a moon.
Beyond that, there's no fixed rate, because no two designs are the same. This table gives you an idea of how I work it out:
| Type of piece | Examples | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small and simple | a word, a small flower, a silhouette | from €60 |
| Medium-sized or more detailed | a branch on the collarbone, a bouquet on the forearm | quote based on the design |
| Micro-realism | a portrait of your dog, a pair of eyes | quote based on the design |
| Cover-up | covering or reworking an old tattoo | quote after seeing the photos |
I always give you a quote before you book, once I know what you want, where you want it and how big it will be. No surprises on the day of your session.
What makes the price go up
The price of a tattoo mainly depends on how long it takes to do it well. Four things determine that time.
Size
This is the obvious one. But with fine line, size isn't just about price: if a detailed design is too small, the lines get closer together and blur over the years. Sometimes I'll suggest making it a little bigger. That's not to charge you more. It's so your tattoo still looks just as crisp in ten years.
Level of detail
Two designs of the same size can take very different amounts of time. A continuous-line silhouette is quick to do; a bouquet with shaded petals, leaves and tiny stems takes much longer.
Placement
The forearm and upper arm are comfortable areas to tattoo. On the ribs, sternum or feet, I need to go more slowly and take more breaks. That makes the session longer.
Colour
Watercolour adds layers of colour over the linework. It takes more work than a piece in black alone.
Why choosing the cheapest tattoo isn't a good idea
Fine line is unforgiving. The wrong needle, too much depth or working in a rush makes the line spread beneath the skin. You might not notice at first, but after a few months the line looks blurry.
That's hard to fix: a fine line that has spread won't become fine again. The solution is usually a cover-up, and covering a tattoo always costs more than having it done well the first time.
When comparing prices, ask to see healed tattoos, not just fresh ones. A photo taken on the day always looks good; one taken a year later tells you whether the work holds up.
How to ask for a quote
To give you a price, I need to know:
- What you'd like. An idea, a story, a few references if you have them.
- Where. The area of the body affects the design and how long the work takes.
- Roughly how big. A photo of the area with a ruler really helps.
- Black or colour.
With that, I'll get back to you with a proposal and a quote. You can send it all through your client area. If you'd like to know the steps before booking, I've explained them on the how I work page.
What about micropigmentation?
If you're interested in eyebrows, microblading costs €300, including the brow design.